The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched a major crackdown on food establishments across Maharashtra, suspending licences and registrations after inspections uncovered serious violations of hygiene, food handling, temperature control and safety standards.
The inspections were conducted on August 20 and 21, 2026, under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Several prominent establishments in Mumbai were found to have significant deficiencies, including outlets associated with the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), Café Cadell and China Town Fast Food Centre.
The FDA suspended the licences of four MCA establishments, namely Permit Room, Pavilion, Mediterranean and Oriental Swing. Inspectors found ice accumulation inside refrigerators, slippery and unclean floors and inadequate temperature control.
The establishments also lacked proper calibration of temperature equipment and failed to display their FSSAI licences.
Officials further flagged the absence of food-grade conformity certificates for packaging materials. Frozen food was reportedly being thawed in unhygienic conditions, while regular checks of cooking oil quality were also not being carried out.
Also Read: Maharashtra FDA Cracks Down On Mumbai Cricket Association's BKC Facility
The MCA Clubway and Pastry Counter also faced regulatory action. Its registration was suspended after officials found that the outlet was operating through Shirke Infrastructure, which did not hold a valid food licence.
Employees were found without hand gloves, while the workspace was considered inadequate and vulnerable to pest infestation.
In Kurla, the FDA took action against Sankalp Mahila Audyogik Utpadak Sahakari Society Ltd., which operates a Mid-Day Meal canteen. The facility scored just 48%, or 53 out of 112, during inspection.
Officials found deep unhygienic conditions, grease accumulation, broken flooring, stagnant water and rusted equipment. Pest control was inadequate, while mandatory water testing records were also unavailable.
Lenexis Foodworks Pvt. Ltd. in Mahim had its licence suspended after inspectors found poor ventilation, heavy grease on kitchen hoods and stagnant dirty water on non-compliant flooring. Leaking overhead taps, rusted containers and inadequate temperature monitoring were among the other violations recorded.
Café Cadell in Shivaji Park also lost its licence. The FDA found poor ventilation and inadequate segregation between vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, creating a potential cross-contamination risk. Officials also flagged missing medical and water testing records and poor employee hygiene.
China Town Fast Food Centre in Mulund faced immediate suspension of its registration following multiple violations. Inspectors found excessive use of artificial colours and MSG, heavily oxidised reusable cooking oil and active cockroach and pest infestations.
Food was stored beneath unhygienic staircases, while severely rusted equipment and serious drainage problems, including moss and foul odours, were also found.
The crackdown extended beyond Mumbai. Morya Misal in Warje, Pune, and Saoji Upahar Gruh in Nagpur also faced licence suspensions for using artificial colours, storing expired food and other hygiene violations.
The inspections underline the FDA's intensified focus on food safety compliance, particularly in establishments where poor hygiene, unsafe food handling and inadequate sanitation can pose risks to consumers.
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